Toothbrush having dentifrice feeding means



April 6, 1954 J. J. McDoNALD, JR., ETAL 2,674,000

TooTHBRUsH HAVING DENTIFRICE FEEDING MEANS i frramvif Patented Apr. 6, 1954 TOOTHBRUSH HAVING DENTIFRICE FEEDING MEANS John J. McDonald, Jr., and Henry J. cruthusen,

. Chicago, Ill.

Application November 9, 1949, Serial No. 126,362

icl. iii-13's) 1 claim. l

Our invention relates to improvements in a combined brush and dispenser for dispensing and using powder or paste.

Our invention relates more particularly to a device of the character described especially adapted for use in dispensing and using toothpaste, toothpowder or similar materials.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a container and brush for use in brushing teeth, a device which is so constructed that the powder or paste to be spread over the teeth is carried in the handle of the brush.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein means are provided at the end of the handle for forcing a supply of powder or paste to the face of the brush whenever desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described, wherein the handle is so arranged that the end can be removed for easy access to the interior for filling or cleaning the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described that is easily and simply constructed and one which will not become broken or inoperative in spite of long and hard usage.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying drawings upon which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved toothbrush construction; w

Fig. 2 is 'a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same; and

Fig. 5 is a modified cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2; and showing changes in construction.

In the embodiment of the invention which we have chosen to illustrate and describe, the same may generally comprise a hollow housing member Ill. a block I2 within which toothbrush bristles may be mounted, a plug I4 for the end oi the hollow housing IIJ, and a plunger member I6.

The housing I0 may be generally cylindrical in shape as shown, and in one form of construction is adapted to be open at both ends, the forward end being closed by the plug I4, the opposite end providing an opening for the introduction of the movable plunger I6 by which toothpaste or powder is forced out through the bristle holder, as will presently be explained The block I2 may bengenerally rectangular as shown and capable of being seated in the slot it cut in the upper wall of the housing it, the parts being secured in working operation by an adhesive or other support. The block i2 is provided with apertures tgz;x seat a plurality oi groups of bristles B placed in rows upon one face of the same, the block also having a pair of drilled holes 22 which extend from the face of the same to the back so that the holes are in communication with the space in the housing W.

The plunger it heretofore mentioned may have a generally cylindrical stem 2t and an enlarged head 2t so that when the plunger is inserted in the housing and pressed forward until the head reaches the end of the tube or housing I0, the foremost position of the plunger is thus reached.

From the above and foregoing description it can be seen that we have provided in a toothbrush and handle a construction wherein the handle may be used as a magazine for powder or toothpaste, the plunger I6 being provided so that as the material in the housing is used up,

the same can be pushed forward until it reachesv its limit stop. Paste, powder or other semiplastic material may be placed in the hollow housing iii, the plunger inserted and the material in the housing can be extruded through the passageways 22 to the bristles for use.

In Fig. 5 we have shown a modified form of construction wherein the block I2 has been provided with the extension i2a so that the entire space in the housing il) is filled from the openings 22 forward in the same. We have also modified the construction of the plunger it by extending the same as shown and with the reduced extension Ita adapted when the plunger is completely introduced to extend below the block I2 with the end engaging the portion im, thereby permitting the use of all of the toothpaste or other material that has been placed in the. housing i0. Y

From the foregoing description it can be seen that the combined toothbrush and magazine for paste or other material is extremely simple in construction and operation, it being generally the purpose to construct the same of plastic or similar material that can be easily and cheaply molded or fabricated. Thus in its preferred construction, three or four parts are all that are required for the complete assembly, making the unit an especially cheap article to produce and manufacture.

While we have illustrated and described a specie embodiment oi' the invention and a moditlcation thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the exact details shown, and we do not wish to be limited in any particular; rather what we desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A dispenser for tooth paste comprising a hollow cylindrically shaped housing, a block mounted in the end of the same, said block having a shoulder extending forward in a horizontal plane in the upper part of said housing. bristles in the upper face of said block, said bristles extending in a lateral direction from said block and housing, said block having vertical passageways extending therethrough and communieating with the inside of said housing, and a cylindrical plunger member telescopically mounted in said housing and longitudinally movable therein to force paste through said passageways in said block. said plunger having an extension 4 capable of underlying the shoulder of said block and engage against the end of said block to extrude the paste in said housing.

References Cited in the 111e 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,259,207 Bryant et al. Mar. 12, 1918 1,404,141 Rice, Jr. Jan. 17, 1922 1,477,636 Dusseau Dec. 18, 1923 1,896,982 Talbot Feb. 7, 1933 1,921,912 De Phillipps Aug. 8, 1933 2,250,758 French July 29, 1941 2,326,632 Friedman Aug. 10, 1943 2,377,837 Zimmermann June 5, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 57,475 Sweden Mar.- 3, 1922 456,621 France Sept. 1, 1913 

